Asta Estimate connects cost, time and carbon for UK subcontractors
The introduction of Asta Estimate in the UK solves several challenges, helping contractors and subcontractors move beyond spreadsheets to faster, more consistent bids with built‑in carbon insight. Designed for UK construction, infrastructure, and housebuilding projects, it connects cost, programme, and carbon so commercial teams can tender with greater confidence, control, and continue to track, manage, and optimise performance across the entire project lifecycle.
A single platform for cost, time and carbon
Asta Estimate brings together cost, time estimating and carbon measurement in one structured environment. Estimators, commercial teams and project leaders can manage costs, programme assumptions and carbon factors side by side, improving visibility from first take‑off through to delivery and handover. When used alongside Asta Powerproject, it helps create a joined‑up 4D BIM schedule and 5D cost view from a single vendor.
Built on three decades of Elecosoft’s experience in the UK built environment, the solution is aimed at specialist subcontractors, Tier 2 contractors, housebuilders, fit‑out and refurbishment contractors, MEP specialists, modular and offsite providers, and estimating consultants who need a repeatable way to price work while meeting increasing sustainability and reporting demands.
Structured estimating built for construction
Instead of fragmented spreadsheets, Asta Estimate offers structured estimating workflows and a comprehensive database tailored for construction. Users can build labour, plant, materials and methods in a consistent way, with clear audit trails and the ability to reuse estimates across projects.
The platform supports both 2D and 3D take‑off, integrating with Bluebeam and BIM models to speed up quantity capture and reduce manual effort. This helps teams produce more robust estimates that are easier to review, update and hand over into project delivery, while also creating a stronger basis for schedules in Asta Powerproject.
NRM‑aligned cost and embedded carbon data
At the core of Asta Estimate is a proprietary UK estimating database structured around RICS NRM1 and NRM2 classifications, helping teams standardise how they build up and present costs across tenders. This supports clearer, more professional submissions and makes it easier for clients and main contractors to understand how prices have been assembled.
Carbon measurement is built into the same workflow. Embedded carbon factors sourced from the Inventory of Carbon & Energy (ICE) database allow subcontractors and contractors to report carbon estimates alongside cost and programme visibility, rather than treating carbon as a separate exercise. Asta Estimate calculates carbon impacts not only at estimating stage, but also during procurement and at handover, supporting more complete reporting over the project lifecycle.
Connecting estimating with the wider project ecosystem
Asta Estimate is designed to fit into modern digital construction environments. It integrates with Asta Powerproject for schedule creation and connects to tools such as Power BI, Bluebeam and leading ERP systems through flexible export options and an open API framework. This enables smoother data flow between estimating, planning, reporting and commercial systems and supports long‑term benchmarking and KPI tracking.
By aligning cost, time and carbon from the outset, Asta Estimate also lays out the groundwork for Earned Value Management and more data‑driven decision‑making once projects move into delivery.
Built to increase speed, accuracy and tender capacity
For UK subcontractors and contractors who frequently tender on tight margins and deadlines, Asta Estimate is designed to improve both the speed and quality of submissions. Automating repetitive tasks such as take‑off and cost build‑ups helps reduce time‑to‑estimate, allowing teams to bid for more work with the same resources.
Standardised recipes and assemblies improve accuracy in early‑stage estimates and reduce the risk of errors common in spreadsheet‑based workflows. Integration with up‑to‑date supplier pricing and company specific libraries helps ensure estimates reflect current market conditions, while consistent templates and NRM‑aligned structures result in more professional, comparable tenders.
Scalable for projects of all sizes
Asta Estimate is designed to support projects from smaller, fast‑turnaround tenders through to complex, multi‑phase programmes, so commercial teams can use a single,
scalable costing tool as they grow. It adapts to different levels of detail, from high‑level cost plans to fully resourced estimates, helping organisations standardise their approach to estimating across their entire project portfolio.
Gerry Kelliher, Managing Director of Elecosoft, commented:
“Asta Estimate is the foundation for more consistent, data‑driven estimating subcontractors. By connecting estimating, planning and carbon metrics, it helps teams price work faster, collaborate more effectively, and protect margins, while meeting growing expectations for transparency on both cost and carbon.”
Asta Estimate now available in the UK
Asta Estimate is now available to UK customers through Elecosoft’s regional sales and support teams, supporting more consistent, data‑driven estimating across cost, time and carbon.